"I think the composer and production staff of an opera have a real responsibility to use visual elements of all kinds to make clear to the American audience, at any rate, exactly what is going on."

"I'm thinking in terms of a point of departure, a field of action for performers to express an expressive need of mine which hopefully the context of music would convey."

"If you look at the timing of many of the Greek dramas from the theatrical point of view, it's all off, and I think the reason for that is that music played a very important part."

"However, yes, especially as one gets older, you know, you really hope that your music will become more generally available, even though some of the performances might be riddled with faults."

"Spend a lot of time talking to customers face to face. You'd be amazed how many companies don't listen to their customers."

"He was what I often think is a dangerous thing for a statesman to be - a student of history and like most of those who study history, he learned from the mistakes of the past how to make new ones."

"The direction in which education starts a man will determine his future in life."

"I wish life was not so short, he thought. languages take such a time, and so do all the things one wants to know about."